Boas galore: The Black Rock Rocks Mardis Gras fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Boas galore: The Black Rock Rocks Mardis Gras fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Black Rock becomes the Big Easy with Mardis Gras fundraiser

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Mardis Gras is a time when thousands of revelers spill onto the streets of New Orleans to drink, be merry and show off their city pride.

But Renard Boissiere, a N'awlins resident, won't be carousing down St. Charles Avenue this carnival season. Instead, he'll be partying -- and playing music -- on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport.

A former Park City habitant, Boissiere will join his friends and fellow Connecticut musicians at BlackRock Rocks eighth annual Mardi Gras fundraiser, popping off at multiple venues in the heart of Bridgeport's Black Rock section on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Boissiere will top off the day-long fete with a performance from his band, the funk/blues outfit Nardy Boy. The group is coming back to the Nutmeg State to celebrate Mardis Gras with the Black Rock community and lend its support to a worthwhile cause.

"We call it a party with a purpose," said Boissiere, who has performed at the event every year since 2007. "We want people to come out and have a good time, but there's a reason behind doing it."

Proceeds from this year's Mardi Gras fundraiser will benefit Kids Empowered by Your Support, a nonprofit organization that provides music instruction to underserved students in Bridgeport.

As in past years, organizers expect hundreds of partygoers to descend on Black Rock for the festivities. Many will be decked out in masks, beads and boas as they go from venue to venue -- Acoustic Cafe, Fire Engine Pizza Company and Tautog Tavern -- to watch performances from local and regional acts.

Adding to the Mardis Gras flair, the event will feature New Orleans-inspired dishes and drink specials, a facepainter and a "French Quarter Photo Booth." Hurricanes, the sweet rum drinks that are popular in New Orleans, will be poured throughout the day.

As far as Melissa Bernstein, an organizer of the event, knows, "This is the biggest and broadest Mardis Gras event in Connecticut.

"We feel a real sense of pride and accomplishment," she added. "The event brings people in from all over the area."

In addition to Nardy Boy, the event will feature a bevy of bands performing a wide variety of musical styles: Oobleck, StringFingers, The Primate Fiasco, Symphonic Bodega, Solistic, Hot Chaos, EKL, Like Violet and Darian Cunning, to name a few. Mike Falzone, a Connecticut musician and YouTube mini-sensation, will emcee the fesitivites.

The following day, merrymakers can nurse their hangovers with a special brunch at Brennan's Shebeen Irish Bar and Grill (a $15 prix fixe deal will be available for people wearing their Mardi Gras event bracelets, so don't take them off before hitting the hay).

Mardis Gras in Black Rock is by no means Mardis Gras in the Big Easy. But for Boissiere, who lived in Connecticut for six years following Hurricane Katrina, Black Rock has always done a great job of recreating the vibe and the spirit of the holiday. In many ways, it feels like home.

"There's moments of this event when you forget you're in Connecticut, he said. "You're inside these clubs, there's an incredible energy. Connecticut people are no jokers when it comes to having a good time."

Raffle tickets for donations

BlackRock Rocks will collect gently-used musical instruments to benefit Horns For Kids, which awards instruments to deserving school music programs throughout Connecticut. To thank them for their donation, BlackRock Rocks will give donors 10 free raffle tickets, which will increase their chances of winning prizes, including: Gathering of the Vibes Weekend Camping Tickets, Catskill Chill Weekend camping tickets, tickets to shows at the Ridgefield Playhouse and Fairfield Theatre Company and gift certificates from area restaurants and shops.